Land Rover Featured at Festival of…Speed?

The UK’s annual Festival of Speed on July 11-13 has chosen Land Rover as its featured manufacturer this year.  No, seriously...

While not ordinarily associated with speed (OK, never) the choice was made to celebrate the company's 60th anniversary year.

And oh how far Land Rover has come. 

"Land Rover represents our British-inspired Festival theme perfectly with a true pioneering spirit and an enviable global reputation," says Goodwood owner Lord March. "This year's Central Feature will celebrate a significant landmark anniversary for one of the world’s most revered car marques, and will be one of the biggest and most memorable displays to date."

To this effort, Land Rover is creating an automotive sculpture in front of Goodwood House, in partnership with artist Gerry Juddah. It will feature everything from an original 1948 car, through the 60th anniversary edition Defender SVX, complete with satellite navigation, Recaro seats and iPod compatibility, all of which would have been unimaginable 60 years ago.  Plus, of course, Land Rover will also be showing off its radical new LRX concept,  which has been wowing the crowds at international motor shows this year.

Shown above are the Land Rover LRX Concept 04 beside the First Land Rover, a beautifully restored HUE 166.  Not shown are the
other vehicles that will featured at the show, such as the two British Touring Car Championship cars - Gordon Shedden's 2007 Civic Type-R and the 2000 Accord driven by Tom Chilton. This is, after all, a festival of speed.

The show will also feature a full line-up of racing bikes both old and new.  Still…it’s nice to see Land Rover getting the respect it’s due.   After 60 years,  slow and steady still wins the race.